Do I Need to Copyright My Logo? And Other Business Name Questions

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Do I need to copyright my logo?
Is a logo subject to copyright? Yes. A logo that includes artistic or design elements, (i.e. not just the name on its own), is legally regarded as being a work of artistic creation and therefore will be protected under copyright law. Copyright protects the logo as an artistic work.
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One of the most crucial choices you will make when beginning a business is the name. Your name not only represents your company’s brand but it may also have legal ramifications. The requirement for copyrighting your logo, registering a DBA in Ohio, whether an LLC can use a DBA there, the distinction between a DBA and a trade name, and examples of DBAs are just a few of the issues we will cover in this article on company names. Does My Logo Need Copyright Protection?

Although it is not necessary, copyrighting your logo is highly advised. By copyrighting your logo, you can prevent anyone from using or reproducing it without your consent. You will be able to file a lawsuit to defend your brand if someone does utilize your logo without your consent.

You must submit an application to the U.S. Copyright Office in order to copyright your logo. The application procedure can be time-consuming and might call for a lawyer’s help.

In Ohio, is a DBA registration required? Doing business as is sometimes referred to as a trade name in Ohio. Although it is not necessary to register a DBA or trade name in Ohio, doing so is advised if you are conducting business under a name other than your legal one. You can build your brand identification and make it simpler for clients to discover you by registering a DBA or trade name.

You must submit a registration form to the Secretary of State’s office in Ohio if you decide to register a DBA or trade name there. The cost to register is $39.

In Ohio, may an LLC have a DBA?

In Ohio, an LLC (limited liability firm) is permitted to use a DBA. Your LLC can develop a brand identity and make it simpler for customers to find you by registering a DBA. In Ohio, you must submit a registration form to the Secretary of State’s office along with a $39 filing fee to register a DBA for your LLC.

What distinguishes a DBA from a trade name?

DBA and trade name are frequently used synonymously, however there is a small distinction between the two. A DBA is a name that a company employs while conducting business under a name other than its legal name. On the other hand, a trade name is the name that a company uses to identify itself to the general public.

For instance, if John Smith owns the company Acme Manufacturing LLC but conducts business under the name “Acme Manufacturing,” he would have to file a DBA with the state of Ohio. His company would be known by the trade name “Acme Manufacturing.” What is DBA Example, exactly?

Any company name that differs from the owner’s legal name might be used as a DBA example. If John Smith runs Smith Enterprises LLC under the name “John’s Plumbing,” for instance, he would have to file a DBA with the state of Ohio. His company’s DBA would be “John’s Plumbing.”

In conclusion, copyrighting your logo is advised even though it is not necessary. Although registering a DBA in Ohio is optional, it can benefit your company’s branding efforts and make it simpler for customers to discover you. In Ohio, an LLC is permitted to utilize a DBA. Although the terms DBA and trade name are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a little distinction between the two.